What is the definition of public administration?
Public administration can be broadly described as the development, implementation and study of branches of government policy. The pursuit of the public good by enhancing civil society, ensuring a well-run, fair, and effective public service are some of the goals of the field. Today public administration is often regarded as including also some responsibility for determining the policies and programs of governments. Specifically, it is the planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling of government operations. Public administration is carried out by public servants who work in public departments and agencies, at all levels of government, and perform a wide range of tasks. Negative reactions toward the system and its officials will often use the term “bureaucracy” (i.e. government by the desk-holders), with connotations of an inflexible and unresponsive hierarchy that is unconcerned or ill-equipped in its fulfilment of public duties.
